Live Show: Firewind, Masterplan, Sunburst
Place: Gagarin 205 Club, Athens, Greece
Date: December 7th, 2024
Live Correspondent: Vasiliki Kalogera
Gagarin 205 Club was packed with Metal fans forming long queues, all eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated reunion show of FIREWIND. The evening promised to be historic, with three iconic bands uniting for a unique concert experience: FIREWIND, MASTERPLAN and SUNBURST. Over four hours of music unfolded, starting with a minor delay, but the organizers ensured the schedule stayed on track, concluding the show right at midnight.
SUNBURST
The night started with SUNBURST from Larisa, a band that had been absent from the scene but made a strong comeback this year with the new album “Manifesto”, following the acclaimed “Fragments of Creation”. Welcomed warmly by the crowd, SUNBURST reciprocated with an electrifying opener, “The Flood”, setting the stage for the evening ahead.
The new bassist Giorgos Charalampidis marked his live debut with the band, while guitarist Gus Drax dazzled the audience with his masterful playing. Vocalist Vasilis Georgiou delivered an emotional performance, dedicating a song to his late grandmother, which moved the crowd profoundly. The set culminated with “Hollow Lies”, leaving fans eager for more from SUNBURST in the future.
MASTERPLAN
Next up, German Power Metallers MASTERPLAN graced the stage, marking their first-ever live performance in Greece. Led by Roland Grapow (former HELLOWEEN guitarist), the band featured an all-star lineup, including bassist Jari Kainulainen, keyboardist Axel Mackenrott, and drummer Efraim Larsson, whose dynamic performance stole the show
Opening with the anthemic “Enlighten Me”, MASTERPLAN immediately sent chills down the audience’s spines. Their set spanned highlights from their debut album, along with nods to Grapow’s HELLOWEEN roots, including a rousing rendition of “The Chance”. Vocalist Rick Altzi delivered a standout performance, captivating the audience with his powerful voice. Grapow expressed his gratitude with humility, promising the crowd that MASTERPLAN’s return to Greece won’t be long.
FIREWIND
The night belonged to Thessaloniki’s FIREWIND, led by guitar virtuoso Gus G (Kostas Karamitroudis). The band’s special bond with the Greek audience was on full display, and their explosive opening with “Stand United” sent the crowd into a frenzy. The setlist was a journey through FIREWIND’s career, with iconic tracks like “I Am the Anger”, “Destination Forever”, and “The Fire and the Fury” showcasing the band’s unrivaled Metal power.
A highlight came when Gus G invited former vocalist Apollo Papathanasio onstage. Despite some vocal limitations, Apollo’s energy, paired with Herbie Langhans’ dynamic presence, created unforgettable moments, including a thrilling rendition of “Mercenary Man” and an unexpected cover of Michael Sembello’s “Maniac”, which transformed the venue into a retro party.
The encore brought even more surprises as Bob Katsionis joined the stage, reuniting six current and former members of FIREWIND for an epic finale with tracks like “Breaking the Silence”, “Head Up High” and “Falling to Pieces”. Jo Nunez’s drumming and Petros Christodoulidis’ basslines provided a rock-solid foundation throughout.
FIREWIND’s message was clear: the band is in peak form, arguably at the best stage of their career. Fans left with a deep sense of nostalgia, having witnessed one of the most intense concert experiences of the year. It was a multi-generational celebration of Metal, where the audience wasn’t just spectators but part of the FIREWIND family. Gus G’s exclusive pre-concert interview with The Gallery can be read HERE. Four hours of music and emotion to remember for years to come!
Live Correspondent: Vasiliki Kalogera
Translation/Rendering in English language: Vasiliki Kalogera
Design, Editing & Text Correction: Alexandros Soultatos
Photos: Elias Aravidis
Videos: Alexandros Soultatos
External Links: FIREWIND – Official Page
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